Once again, we have more racing photographs taken by Ron Lathrop but this time at the May 11th, 1969 Wolverine Trans-Am at Michigan International Speedway. As mentioned previously, Ron was a freelance racing photographer dating back to 1963 and did work for Sports Car Graphic, Competition Press, Road & Track, as well as a number of karting magazines and even Rod & Custom. He also was in the U.S Air Force from 1965 - 69 and again from 1972 - 92. MIS was pretty much a brand new racing facility that had only had its first race (a USAC open wheel event) in October '68. This Wolverine Trans-Am was the official opening race for the '69 Trans-Am schedule and it was a debacle from beginning to end that included rain, sleet, snow, bitter cold, cars stuck in the mud, a spectator death and several more injured. Thanks again Ron for sharing these new photos with us!

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Much of Saturday was spent in the garages trying to stay out of the inclement weather, although qualifying was done during a sleet storm on Saturday afternoon.Photo by Ron Lathrop

Doesn't look like much fun, but a good way to see some cars up close.Photo by Ron Lathrop

George Follmer and Bud Moore chatting inside the garages.Photo by Ron Lathrop

Roger glances at his watch while talking to Mark. The "U.S.Racing" patch on Roger's jacket is for the recent (1969)partnership between Penske and Carl Haas (plus Sunoco and Simoniz) to run 4-wheel-drive Lola T152s at Indianapolis.(Canadian Terry Godsall was also involved with this Indy effort but wanted to stay under the radar, for various reasons.)The month of May, don't forget, is Indianapolis time. This year was Roger's (and Mark's) first attempt to race at Indy.Photo by Ron Lathrop

Bucknum's #9 Camaro up on jack stands in preparation for having its brakes bled. Donohue's #6 is behind.Photo by Ron Lathrop

Neat shot of the Bucknum inner fenderwell. Holes were also incorporated into both ends of the door and through therear quarter panel and into the rear fenderwell.Photo by Ron Lathrop

Neat details of the front suspension are visible. Wagner brake bleeder ball and the wrench still on the caliper indicates the job isn't finished.Photo by Ron Lathrop

Somebody's crew member with a pressurized water tank.Photo by Ron Lathrop

John Martin, driver of the #4 Javelin. John did a lot of the testing for the Javelin team during the '68 season.He was promoted to full-time driver when George Follmer and Peter Revson left the team at the end of '68.Photo by Ron Lathrop

John watches an Alfa Romeo go by during Sunday morning practice. The #3 and #4 factory team Javelins werelate to the track and missed qualifying on Saturday. They both started the race at the very back of the grid. Nota good way to start the season and, in fact, it was an early sign of how the season was going to go for them.Photo by Ron Lathrop

Ron Grable takes his Javelin out for a shakedown run.Photo by Ron Lathrop

"Hey Javelin" sticker was part of a '69 AMC advertising campaign for the car.Photo by Ron Lathrop

After 4 days of rain, this gives you an idea of how soggy the ground was.Photo by Ron Lathrop

Map of the road race course.Wolverine Trans-Am program

Ron was not at the S/F line at the start of the race but here is a photo from Competition Press right after the green flag fell. Among thefront runners, Jones, Follmer and Kwech in the Boss Mustangs were on dry tires. Rain drops started falling as soon the flag was waved.Photo by Jack Brady

First lap, here they come. Ron is standing between flag stations 10 & 11. The cars are turning to their left where the people are at the guard rail.Photo by Ron Lathrop